THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has begun a massive exercise to distribute social security pensions at the doorsteps of beneficiaries. The plan is to distribute Rs 1,114 crore to over 37.03 lakh beneficiaries before Vishu and Easter. Of the total beneficiaries, 19.2 lakh persons will get their money credited in their bank accounts, and 17.74 lakh will get their entitlement at their doorsteps. During last Christmas, social security pensions were handed over to 33.59 lakh beneficiaries. This Easter, there will be 3.4 lakh more beneficiaries. What is now being distributed are the arrears of January, February and March. “
The money to be given at homes through cooperative banks will be distributed first,” finance minister T.M. Thomas Isaac said. Those who prefer money in their bank account will have it credited to their accounts on April 10, he added. The 3.05 lakh persons who were denied pension last time for various reasons have been included this time. Dr Isaac said that the distribution of pension to 3.56 lakh persons had been temporarily put on hold because of their failure to provide sufficient documents. Of this, 3.23 lakh have not submitted the mandatory affidavit or any of the recognised identity proofs.
The minister said panchayat-level ‘adalats’ will be held to settle problems of those who have been denied pensions. “We are planning to hold the ‘adalats’ this April itself,” the minister said. He said those who had complaints should file a submission before the concerned panchayat secretary. “A committee comprising the panchayat president, secretary and a gazetted officer will examine it and issue a settlement order,” he said.
